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Gates of Nehemiah — The Prison Gate
“And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the prison gate” (Nehemiah 12:39).
The first mention of a prison in the Bible is in connection with Joseph, who as a result of his faithfulness to His God suffered in this way. “And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison” (Genesis 39:20).This would remind us that if we are faithful to the Lord we too will not be popular and will suffer some reproach. “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf” (1 Peter 4:16).Notice that the Prison Gate is in connection with the Sheep Gate, which speaks of the person and work of Christ. The Apostle Paul, who was such a faithful witness for Lord referred to himself as, “Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ” (Philemon 1).
Are we willing to take our place at the Prison Gate? In other words, to suffer a little reproach for Christ?
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